Suction cleaner



Aug. 9, 1938. F. A, GROTHE sUcTIoN CLEANER Filed June e, 1954 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ullIIIIlllllllIIIllllllllllllllllllllll@ATTORNEY Aug.9,1938.. EA, GROTH 2,126,333

SUCTION CLEANER Filed June 8, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2l||||||lllllllllllllilunm..

INVENTOR ATTO RN EY Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES SUCTION CLEANERFrank A. Grothe, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company,North Canton, (Ehio,

a corporation of Ohio Application .lune d, 1934i, Serial No. '29,549

The present invention relates to suction clean-V ers in general andparticularly to new and novel improvements in means to control the ow ofair through the cleaner motor. More specifically.

5 the invention comprises a new and ynovel relationship of parts in asuction cleaner .in which air is drawn through a motor to perform acooling function and also through an air-conditioning unit,l the airleaving the motor by way of l the hollow motor shaft and passing intothe fan chamber where it mixes with the main air stream carrying theforeign matter removed from the surface covering undergoing cleaning.

It is an object of the present invention to pro- 15 vide a new andimproved suction cleaner. It isV another object of the invention toprovide a suction cleaner including improved means controlling the iiowof air through theA cleaner motor casing. A still further object is theprovision, Z0 in a suction cleaner including a driving motor and asuction-creating fan, of automatically operated valve means whichcontrol the flow of air from the motor into the point of'lowpressurecreated by the rotating fan.` A further object Z is the provision in asuction cleaner voi" a motor casing in which is positioned a rotatingmotor and an odorizing unit; A still further object is the provision ina suction cleaner of a motor and an air conditioning unit, means beingprovided 30 to draw air through the motor and through theair-conditioning unit, there being automatic,y means to prevent thereversal of the direction ofl air flow thru the motor upon the rotatingmotor coming to a stop. These and other i5 objects will appear uponreading the following specification and claims and upon considering inconnection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate. p Inthe drawings in which preferred embodi- 0 ments of the present inventionare disclosed:

Figure 1 is a vertical section thru a modern suction cleaner embodyingthe present invention;

Figure 2 is a partial section upon the line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3vis a cross section through the airconditioning unit of Figurel; l

Figure 4 is a section upon the line l--t through m the air-conditioningunit of Figure 3;'

Figure`5 is a section upon the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure l but with V the air valvepositioned as in the operating con- V5 dition of the cleaner;

Figure 7 is a section thru the valve upon the line 'l-l of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section thru a cleaner embodying a second preferredembodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a section through the air-condition Ving unit of Figure 8upon the line 9-9;

Figure 10 is a section upon the line lll-lll of Figure 8; 4

Figure 11 is a section through the valve mechanism upon the line Ii-l iof Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a section similar to Figure l1 but with the valve in theopen or operating position;

Figure 13 is aview similar to Figure l1 but with the valve and motorshaft rotated through a slight angle;

Figure 14 is a partial side View of the valve seat;

Figure l5 is a partial side view of the valve element;

Figure 16 is a partial section through a suc- 20 tion cleaner motor andair-conditioning unit illustrating a third preferred type of airconditioning unit;

Figure 17 is a section upon the line ll-I'l of Figure 16.

In the operation of a modern suction cleaner cleaning air is drawnthrough the cleaner nozzle, past a rotating agitating element positionedtherein, and is exhausted by the rotating fan thru the exhaust outlet ofthe fan chamber into a ltenng dust bag. The fan is ordinarily driven bya rotating electric motor 'and reduces the nozzle pressure.

The present day suction cleaner motor is a` high speed unit and requiresthat cooling air pass thereover to prevent excessive temperature rise.For the purpose of obtaining a iiow of cooling air the difference inpressure existing between atmosphere and the suction side of the fan maybe \utilized. This same iiow of cool- 40 ing air can also be utilized tocreate a pleasing dust-neutraliing odor in the air .exhausted from thesuction cleaner bypassing it through an airconditioning unit before itenters the main air stream in the fan chamber. In view of the fact,however, that upon the cessation of motor rota` tion the back pressureexisting in the dust bag forces air back into the cleaner permittingdust to be deposited upon parts with which it comes into contact, it isnecessary to provide automatic valve means to prevent the entranceof'this air into the motor and the odorizing unit. In the suctioncleaner constructed in accordancewith the present invention thisdimculty has been satisfactorily eliminated.

Referring again to the drawings, and to Figures 1 to 7 inclusive inparticular, a modern suction cleaner constructed in accordance with thepresent invention is disclosed. The cleaner is seen to comprise asurface-contacting nozzle I which is interiorly connected to a fanchamber 2 by an inlet 3. A motor casing 4 abuts the fan chamber 2 andhouses an electric motor including a stator 5 carried by the casing 4and an amature 5 including a shaft 1. Shaft 1 is rotatably mounted atone end in a bearing 8 positioned in the end Wall of the casing 4, andat the other end in a bearing 9 carried by the motor bottom plate I0which is common to both the motor casing and the fan chamber. Within thefan chamber 2 the extended motor shaft'1 carries a fan II, and

at its end in the nozzle I a pulley I2. A belt I3Y seats on pulley I2and functions to drive a surface-contacting agitator I4, including rigidsurface-contacting elements I5, I5 and flexible brushes I6. The cleaneris movably supported upon spaced front and rear supporting wheels I1 andI3 and a pivoted handle I3, which is connected to the body of themachine. 'I'he handle supports at its upper end, in a common but unshownmanner, the dust bag 20 which is attached to the exhaust outlet 2l ofthe fan chamber 2.

According to the presenty invention the motor shaft 1 is provided with abore extending from within the motor casing 4 thru fan chamber 2 to itsend. This bore is indicated by the reference character 22 and isconnected and open to the interior of the motor casing by radiallyextending ports 23, 23. The pulley I2 is also provided with alongitudinally open ended passageway thereby directly connecting theinternal bore 22 of the shaft to the low pressure existing in the nozzleI.

In the inoperative relationship of the cleaner a ball valve 24 seats ina conical valve seat 25, being spring-pressed therein by a coil spring25 which seats in the counterbored end of shaft 1, to close thepassageway, as shown in Figure 1. In the rotation of the motor shaft,however, valve 24 is thrown by centrifugal force up the sideof thisconical seat to a position as shown in Figure 6 and the interior of themotor shaft is directly connected to low pressure in the nozzle I. Toinsure that centrifugal force will act upon the ball to displace it asthe shaft rotates at high speed the seat 25 is eccentrically positionedrelative to the true axis of rotation of the shaft, as clearlyillustrated in Figures 1 and 7.

Within the motor casing 4 and between the armature 6 and the bottomplate I0 is positioned a baille plate 21 which is carried by the motorcasing and which closely encloses the motor shaft 1, a labyrinth seal 28being provided to prevent the passage of air between the shaft and theplate. A` Avolatile element container 23 is formed at the bottom ofbaille plate 21 immediately above a screw threaded opening 30 in themotor casing 4 which is closed normally by a cap 3|. Within container29, and supported by cap 3l, is a body or cake 32 of a volatile redolentelement. To permit the passage of air thru the container, openings 33,33 are provided in the motor side and in the fan chamber side thereof.'I'hese openings form the sole passageway for air between the hollowmotor shaft ports 23, 23, which are positioned between the bale 21, andthe bottom plate III, and the cleaner motor including stator 5 andamature 6. All air so directed passes over the volatile element incontainer 23 to cause volatilization of that element. A second baiileplate indicated at 34, is provided on the inner side of the field stacksof stator 5 and substantially seals the stator to the motor casing 4forcing all the air thru the motor to pass between the field and thearmature. Motor casing 4 is provided with a bottom opening 35 at itsrear wall to permit air to enter.

In this embodiment of the invention the air, which is drawn into thecleaner motor thru opening 35 in response to the low pressure madeeffective therein by the passageway through the motor shaft, passesfirst through the motor, then through the air-conditioning unit into thespace between balile 21 and bottom plate I0, and finally into the mainair stream by way of the hollow shaft 1. As the air is somewhat warmedby its contact with the motor windings, and as the usual volatileelement volatilizes at a greater rate with an increase in temperature,it is evident that the volume of air passing through the conditioningunit carries away more of the element than would a similar volume of airat atmospheric temperature.

In the operation-of machine, as previously indicated, the valve 24 is inthe open position where it is retained centrifugally and the air fromthe motor passes directly into the nozzle. When the current passingthrough the cleaner motor is cut oif and the motor comes to rest thespring 26 urges valve 24 downwardly into its conical seat closing theport at the apex of the seat and rendering it impossible for air to passeither into or out from the motor casing by that passageway.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 15 inclusive, a second preferredembodiment of the invention is disclosed. In its general outline thecleaner is identical with that shown in the first embodiment. Thedifferences which exist between it and the first embodiment lie in thevalve mechanism and the relationship of the air-conditioning unit to themotor, as hereinafter fully set forth.

According to this second embodiment of the invention the motor shaft 1is again provided with a bore 22 from a point within the motor casing 4to the suction side of fan Il. Radial ports 23, 23 againl connect thisbore to the interior of the motor casing. The suction-creating fan Il,which is carried by the shaft 1, is formed with a hub 33 which extendsinto the inlet 3 and is counterbored to provide a chamber 39 surroundingthe hollow shaft 1 and interiorly connected thereto by the ports 40formed thereon. This chamber is closed at its forward end by the flatfan-contacting side of the pulley I2, but there are provided openings4I, 4I which connect the chamber 33 directly to the point of lowpressure of the fan.

The automatic valve which controls the flow of air through the hollowmotor shaft 1 in the present embodiment is positioned in chamber 39 andmore specifically between the ports 40, 40 and 4I, 4I which arelongitudinally spaced relative to the motor shaft. In this embodimentthe valve comprises a ring 42 which seats within the hub 33 and enclosesthe shaft 1. Ring 42 is provided on its fan side with a circular valveseat 43 which encircles the shaft 1 but is inclined at a slight angle toa plane perpenedicular to the shaft, as clearly illustrated in Figures11, l2 and 13. 'I'he valve 44 comprises a ring conforming in shape tothe seat 43 upon one side and has a flat surface perpendicular to theshaft 1 upon its other side. With valve 44 in the open position ports4l, 40 in shaft 1 are connected liti with ports di, di by openings tb,4b in valve seat di. Valve 4t is normally pressed into portclosingrelationship by a spiral spring tt which contacts the side wall of thechamber dd at one of its ends and the dat face of the ring dit at itsother end.'

To prevent relative rotation between valve ring di and valve seat ii alrey di is provided upon the valve which seats in a radial slot it inthe seat. rlf'he cooperation of these two elements ini sure that thethick side of the valve ring dit, that is the side having the greatermass, will at all times seat within the deep side ofthe valve face iii.

ln the inoperative relationship, as shown in Figure 1l, the valve til ispositioned in and is concentric with valve seat it and ports titi, diiare closed. Upon the high speed rotation of the motor, however, valve itis thrown by centrifugal force up the side of the valve seat, to aposition as shown in Figure l2, leaving the ports liti, tb open anddirectly connecting ports iid, 'td to ports il i, iii. This movement ofvalve fit takes place because one side of the ring is heavier than theother, thru being of greater mass as described.

'The air' which is drawn from the motor casing i and into the point `ofreduced pressure oi the fan lli in the present embodiment has firstpassed over the motor held and armature, some of the air passing throughan air-conditioning unit iid which is positioned adjacent the bottom ofmotor casing il and immediately below the Held winding ii. The baiiiesil and :it of the first embodiment are' omitted so that all ofthe airthru the motor does notpass 'thru the odorizer unit. The unit lltcomprises a container tt having ports bi, bi at its ends and containinga calze of volatile material bd over which the air must pass intraversing the container.

'To permit replacement of the volatile element of the unit the motorcasingr il is provided with a Apivoted bottom plate ad immediately belowthe unit which is normally held in place by a removable screw bi. Thereplacement operation reduires only removal of screw bf, the pivoting ofplate or cover bd downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure9, and the removal of container bt from the spring clip tt whichnormally retains it in place.

Referring now to lElgures i6 and 17 in particular a third preferredembodiment of the invention is disclosed in which a different type ofodorizer or air-conditioning unit is disclosed. As in the two 'previousembodiments clean air is drawn through the motor and is accordinglyavailable for motor-cooling purposes and for air-conditioning purposes.According to this embodiment a pivoted cover plate tti is provided onthe top of the motor casing il and includes a spring-latch iid whichnormally underlies an adjacent side of the motor casing ii toresistingly secure the plate in place. Within the casing il, and in acutout section itil in the motor held ii, is positioned an odorizercompartment or container made of a drie mesh screen bt. lin thiscompartment volatile crystals tl are positioned and are adapted to bevolatilized by the air passing through the motor and more specificallythrough the porous compartment 5t. To replenish the supply ofairconditioning element it is necessary only to lift the cover 5t and topour into the wire compartment 5t a fresh supply of crystals. IThecompartment 56 is practically enclosed on three sides by the iield 5 andit is to be noted that with anv unit, and means to convey a secondaryair stream from said mltor and said air-conditioning unit to said fan.'2. The construction recited in the preceding .flov

claim in which the motor and the air-conditioning Y unit are arranged inseries in said secondary air stream.

3. The construction recited in the second preceding claim in which themotor and the airconditioning unit are arranged in parallel in saidsecondary air stream.

d. The construction recited in the third preceding claim in `which meansare provided to close automatically the passageway for said secondaryair stream with the motor inoperative.

5. ln a suction cleaner, a nozzle, a fan chamber open thereto, and amotor casing adjacent said chamber and communicating with atmosphere, amotor in said casing having a hollow shaft extended into said fanchamber, a fan on said shaft in said fan chamber, said shaft beinginteriorly connected to said motor casing and to a point of low pressurecreated by said fan, an air-conditioning unit in said casing, said motorand said unit arranged in said casing so that air drawn through saidhollow shaft by said fan drst passes therethrough.

6. The construction recited in the preceding claim in which acentrifugally operated valve is positioned in said shaft to open andclose saidv air-conditioning unit in lsaid casing, said motorI and saidunit being arranged in series in said casing so that air drawn throughsaid hollow shaft by said fari first passes through said mo'- tor andthen through said unit.

8. in a suction cleaner, a nozzle, a fan chamber opentheretaandra'uibtor casing adjacent said chamber communicating withatmosphere, a motor in said casing having a hollow shaft extended intosaid fan chamber, a fan on said shaft in said fan chamber, said shaftbeing interiorly connected to said motor casing and to a point of lowpressure created by said fan, an

air-conditioning unit in said casing, said motor and Isaid unit beingarranged in parallel in said casing so that air drawn through saidhollow shaft by said fan passes partly through said motor and partlythrough saidunit.

9. In a suction cleaner, suction-creating means, a motor to drive saidmeans, an odorizer unit connected to said means so that volatizing airis drawn therethrough, and a valve operated l by said motorcontrollingthe How of air through said unit.

10: In a suction cleaner, suction-creating means, a motor to drive saidmeans, an odorizer unit connected to said means so that volatiliz;

ing air is drawn therethrough, and a valve mounted on a rotatable partof said motor controlling the now of air through said unit.

11. In a suction cleaner, an odorizer unit including a passagewaythrough which air can pass, a valve controlling the flow of air throughsaid passageway, said valve including a rotatable element movable undercentrifugal -force, and means to rotate said rotatable element in theoperation of the cleaner to move it to one of its positions.

12. In a suction cleaner, a driving motor, a suction-creating fanconnected to said motor, a nozzle open to said fan adapted to convey amain air stream thereto, an air-conditioning unit, and means to convey asecondary air' stream from said motor and said air-conditioning unit tosaid fan, and centrifugally operative valve means controlling the flowof said secondary air stream.

13. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing, suction producingmeans including a fan mounted in a fan chamber forming a portion of saidcasing, a motor having a shaft extending axially of said fan chamber andcarrying said fan, said shaft having an open ended axial passage withits outlet on the suction side of said fan chamber, means for supplyingair impregnated with a conditioning substance to the inlet of saidpassage, and a valve member normally closing said passage and operativeby centrifugal force to open when said motor is in operation.

14. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing, suction producingmeans including a fan mounted in a fan chamber forming a portion of saidcasing, a motor having a shaft extending axially of said fan chamber andcarrying said fan, said shaft having an axial passage with openings atits ends, the outlet opening being on .the suction side of said fanchamber and inlet opening being exposed at a point of higher pressure, areceptacle containing an air treating substance and provided with anopening to permit the passage of atmospheric air through said receptacleand into said inlet, and a valve member in said passage and operating bycentrifugal force to open the same when said motor is in operation.

15. In a suction cleaner, the combination of a casing, suction producingmeans including a fan mounted in a fan chamber forming a portion of saidcasing, a motor having a shaft extending axially of said fan chamber andcarrying said fan, said shaft having an open ended axial passage withits outlet on the suction side o! said fan chamber, a receptaclecontaining an air treating substance and open to permit the passage ofatmospheric air into said receptacle and thence to the inlet of saidaxial passage, said passageway having a valve seat intermediate itsends, and a spring-pressed valve member normally engaging said seat toclose said passage and adapted to be unseated by centrifugal force toopen said passage when said motor is in operation.

16. In a suction cleaner, the combination of suction producing means, amotor, and an air conditioning unit adapted to give oif a volatilematerial at a greater rate as its temperature is increased, said airconditioning unit being positioned in sumciently close proximity to saidmotor to absorb heat directly therefrom, and means for conducting air ina path to pick up the vola'- tile material from said air conditioningunit and to conduct it to said suction producing means.

FRANK A. GROTHE.

